, government leaders have ordered self-defense forces to be prepared to shoot down any debris from the rocket. the defense minister passed on that order to sdf commanders. >> translator: the day of the rocket launch, we ordered the sdf to intercept any debris from a north korean rocket. we're preparing in accordance with that order. >> it will fly southwest of okinawa's island. they're deploying surface to air missiles throughout the region. prime minister yoshihiko noda held a national security meeting with his ministers. he approved the order for the sdf to mobilize their missile defense systems and shoot down any debris. this will be the third such order issued by the government. the last time was in april, when north korean officials launched another rocket. it blew up less than two minutes after liftoff. >>> authorities in japan have given the all-clear to people living along the north eastern coast. they lifted a tsunami warning and advisory issued after a strong earthquake shook the region. analysts say the tremor was likely an aftershock from the march 2011 earthquake. the estimated 7

reassurance on the senkaku islands. the sena they unanimously im -- approved a key defense bill saying the territory is covered by the u.s.-japan security treaty. the senate approved the authorization act for fiscal 2013 and sets the framework for the defense budget and has been amended to state the u.s. acknowledges they administer the senkaku island and states they take no official position on the sovereignty of the territory. the bill also reaffirms the u.s. commitment to japan under article five of the bilateral security treaty. that part of the treaty says the american military will defend japan in the event of an attack. the senate stance is identical to thest u.s. government's official position on the senkaku islands. analysts say the bill could send a strong message to the government on this issue. >>> as we mentioned earlier the typhoon that hit the philippines is taking a toll. rachel ferguson is here with the details. >> hi. yes. bopha is now located to the west of the philippines, having moved across the islands. it's still a typhoon, so still a very potent system. winds ar

will be done in coordination with u.s. forces. defense officials in seoul are also considering raising the country's alerstatus by one notch. japan's self-defense forces are on the alert in advance of this possible missile launch. the maritime sdf vessel carrying pac-3 missile interceptors has left its home port in hiroshima bound for okinawa. the pac-3 surface-to-air missiles are capable of shooting down debris should it come near the ground. the interceptors will be placed at several sites in okinawa. defense ministry officials expect the missile's flight path could take it over the islands of okinawa. commanders say they'll deploy aegis cruisers in those waters. they say they would only react if debris from a missile fell over japanese territory. >>> investigators are trying to understand why a highway tunnel near tokyo collapsed. panels on the tunnel's ceiling gave way, trapping people inside. nine people were killed. the accident happened sunday morning along a highway connecting tokyo to other parts of central japan. operators say bolts holding up concrete panels on the ceiling m

would not yield in territorial fight with china and would increase defense spending if necessary. at the same time, he said he would do more to mend economic ties. he said if deflation persists he might delay the hike in the consumption tax. he has piled the pressure on the central bank to do more to ease monetary policy. he has said the government policy of phasing out nuclear power by the 2030s is unrealistic and irresponsible. >> so how about all these new parties that we're hearing about? >> well, voters who are tired of the establishment could support what are known as the third force. former tokyo governor shintaro ishihara leads the restoration party. its candidates are asking voters why they would return power to the ldp simply because they are dissatisfied with the dpj. restoration party candidates promised that they would change japan fundamentally. they have attracted followers with promises to lessen the role of government and promote more free-market competition. but, you know, we are only on day one, so we are going to have to wait and see how all these factors play

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